CSE Certificate Program FAQ

Getting Started

• Who can pursue the CSE Certificate?

  The certificate is open to degree-seeking undergraduate students currently enrolled at The University of Texas at Austin.

• Is the CSE Certificate a good fit for every major?

  The certificate is open to students from any undergraduate major at UT Austin. However, because the program emphasizes mathematics, programming, scientific computing, and computational modeling, students in some majors may find it easier to fit the certificate requirements into their degree plan than others.

  Students from non-STEM majors may encounter challenges finding certificate courses for which they meet the prerequisites or enrollment requirements. While many students from a wide range of disciplines successfully complete the certificate, prospective students are encouraged to review the approved course list carefully before enrolling to ensure that the program is a good fit for their academic goals and remaining degree requirements.

• When should I enroll in the certificate program?

  You may enroll at any time during your undergraduate studies.

• How do I enroll in the certificate program?

  Submit the enrollment form found here.

• Will I receive confirmation after enrolling?

  Once your enrollment form has been received and reviewed, you will receive a confirmation email from the certificate program coordinator.

• Can I use courses I took before enrolling?

  Yes, courses completed before you submit the enrollment form may still be applied toward the certificate, provided they meet certificate requirements.

• Can courses count toward both my major and the certificate?

  In most cases, yes. Certificate courses may also satisfy requirements for your degree program. However, students should confirm with their academic advisor in their major that dual use of the course is permitted within their degree program.

Courses and Requirements

• What GPA do I need to earn the certificate?

  • A grade of C or better in each certificate course
  • A minimum overall 3.0 GPA
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA across all certificate coursework

• Can I request approval for a course not on the approved list?

  Yes, you may email your request to the certificate program coordinator and include the course syllabus. The syllabus will be reviewed by the certificate faculty advisor to determine whether the course meets the learning objectives of a certificate requirement.

  If you are requesting a substitution because you are unable to take a course from the approved list, please explain the circumstances in your request. Helpful information may include course prerequisites, enrollment restrictions, scheduling conflicts, degree-plan constraints, or other factors affecting your ability to complete the requirement using an approved course.

• Can the certificate program waive prerequisites or bypass enrollment restrictions?

  No. Enrollment restrictions and prerequisites are controlled by the department offering the course. The certificate program cannot waive prerequisites or override departmental registration policies.

• Are additional courses added to the approved course list?

  Yes. The approved course list is reviewed and updated regularly. New courses may be added after review by the certificate faculty advisor.

• How can I track my progress toward the certificate?

  You may view your progress toward the certificate via the Interactive Degree Audit (IDA) system.

• What do I do if one of my certificate courses is not appearing in my degree audit?

  Contact the certificate program coordinator.

Scientific Computing Project

• What is the Scientific Computing Project?

  The Scientific Computing Project is a faculty-supervised research experience that allows students to apply computational methods to a real-world problem. It is typically completed during the senior year by taking CSE 370 or an approved equivalent individual instruction/research course.

• Who is eligible to supervise a Scientific Computing Project?

  Project supervisors must be members of the Oden Institute faculty (Principal, Core, or Affiliated Faculty).

• How do I find a project supervisor?

  Students are responsible for identifying and contacting potential supervisors directly. The Oden Institute Faculty Directory and the Certificate Project Mentors list can help you identify faculty whose research interests match your own.

• Does my supervisor have to be on the Certificate Project Mentors list?

  No. This is a curated list that specifically highlights faculty who have indicated interest in supervising a certificate project and includes information about their research areas and potential project topics.

• Can I petition for an exception if my proposed supervisor is not affiliated with the Oden Institute?

  No. Scientific Computing Project supervisors must be members of the Oden Institute faculty (Principal, Core, or Affiliated Faculty). Exceptions cannot be granted for projects supervised by non-affiliated faculty members.

  If you are interested in working with a faculty member who is not currently affiliated with the Oden Institute, that faculty member may apply for affiliation. Affiliation decisions are made by the Institute and are separate from the certificate program. Once a faculty member becomes affiliated, they may be eligible to supervise certificate projects.

• Can I take a project course offered by another department?

  Yes. The project course taken does not have to be offered by the Oden Institute, provided the project satisfies certificate requirements and has an eligible supervisor.

• Can I use research that I am already doing for my project requirement?

  Possibly. Existing research projects may be used if approved by the supervisor and properly documented on the Scientific Computing Project Approval Form.

• What do I need to do before enrolling in CSE 370?

  1. Identify a faculty supervisor.
  2. Agree on a project topic.
  3. Complete the Scientific Computing Project Approval Form.

• What is the deadline to submit the project approval form?

  Students are encouraged to identify a project supervisor and submit the Scientific Computing Project Approval Form during the registration period for the semester in which they plan to complete the project. This provides time to identify a supervisor, develop a project plan, and complete enrollment before classes begin.

• What happens after I submit the approval form?

  The certificate coordinator will review the form and, if approved, enroll you in CSE 370. Students should verify that the course appears correctly in their registration record.

  The latest date we can accept the form is the 12th class day of the Fall or Spring semester or the 4th class day of the Summer term. Students who wait until the deadline may have difficulty finding a supervisor and completing the approval process in time.

• Is CSE 370 graded?

  CSE 370 is offered on a the pass/fail basis only.

• Do I need to submit a final report to the certificate program?

  No additional paperwork is required to be submitted to the certificate program. Completion is determined through the project course and the grade assigned by the supervising faculty member.

Graduation & Completion

• How do I know whether I am on track to complete the certificate?

  You may view your progress toward the certificate via the Interactive Degree Audit (IDA) system.

  You may also contact the certificate program coordinator to provide a summary of completed and remaining requirements.

• When is the certificate awarded?

  The certificate is awarded once all requirements have been satisfied and verified by the program.

• Will the certificate appear on my transcript?

  The certificate will be reflected on the student's academic record and transcript after degrees have been certified by the Registrar.

• What happens if I complete my degree before I finish the certificate?

  Students have one year after earning their undergraduate degree to complete the certificate program requirements.